Harare – Award-winning gospel musician Darlington “Mambo Dhuterere” Mutseta is facing allegations that his marriage to Dorcas Vambe, affectionately known as Mai Dhuterere, is in turmoil. Reports suggest the musician has abandoned his pregnant wife and their four children, leaving her struggling to cope in their rented apartment in Harare.
Dhuterere, who recently performed in the United Kingdom over the Easter holidays, declined to comment on the claims when approached by H-Metro. “Don’t mind them…,” was all he offered. His last public post featuring Mai Dhuterere was in November last year, when he wished her a happy birthday, referring to her as his “Queen.”
Sources close to Mai Dhuterere say she is exhibiting signs of depression due to the perceived lack of support from her husband during this challenging time. Her situation is reportedly becoming increasingly difficult as she struggles to provide for their family. The couple has yet to develop a residential stand they own in the capital, further compounding their financial woes.
Contacted for comment, Mai Dhuterere, who sounded distressed, confirmed that she has been abandoned by her husband, who is currently in the United Kingdom for the SAMA Festival.
“I have been keeping this to myself because of my condition. I don’t want to be depressed and end up losing our unborn child. It’s true that he moved out, but I am too weak as a woman to challenge him. Our kids desperately need him, and I am praying he will come back to his senses,” she revealed.
The media-shy Mai Dhuterere also confessed that she has been “bottling this up for years,” hoping that her husband would change his behaviour.
“There are a few people who know about this issue because I have been trying hard to conceal the matter. I don’t usually share our problems, but I have come to a point where I feel I have had enough. I still love him as the father of my children, but the abuse I have endured is too much,” she said, hinting at deeper issues within the marriage.
While Mai Dhuterere was hesitant to divulge further details due to other commitments, a reliable source close to her revealed that the celebrity gospel couple’s problems have been ongoing for several years, with Mai Dhuterere consistently attempting to protect their public image.
“It’s not looking good for Mambo Dhuterere’s marriage since he has moved out, leaving his eight-month-pregnant wife at home with their four children,” the source stated.
According to sources aligned with Mai Dhuterere, the popular musician began acting strangely after learning of her pregnancy.
“Our main concern now is the children because Mai Dhuterere’s condition is dire; she is eight months pregnant and can deliver at any time,” the source stressed, highlighting the vulnerability of the situation.
The source further indicated that Dhuterere left the matrimonial home with his travel documents and clothing, relocating to an undisclosed location.
“He appears to be a nice man in public, but he has been subjecting his wife to ridicule, sometimes blaming her for his bad luck,” the source claimed.
“At one point, Dhuterere accused her of bad luck after he failed to get a car from Sir Wicknell Chivayo. The problem now is that his fallout with Mai Dhuterere is affecting their kids, especially their eldest who doesn’t deserve to be dragged into this mess,” the source added, emphasising the impact of the marital problems on the children.
The source also highlighted Mai Dhuterere’s commitment to the family, noting that “They settled together when she had a child from a previous marriage, and they agreed to adopt the other child. He has completely changed and started moving around with friends, claiming to be running errands.”
The allegations state that she conspired with her brother to defraud a complainant by falsely claiming they could secure a Toyota Hilux GD6 from Botswana on the complainant’s behalf.
“The court case was the final nail in their marriage . . . ” the source claimed.
Adding to Mai Dhuterere’s challenges, she is reportedly living in fear after thieves broke into her rented apartment, stealing a laptop and a cellphone.
“It’s sad that she lost her belongings when the thieves broke in and took her laptop and cellphone. Luckily, she managed to recover her passport, which was dumped in the garden. The thief entered through the window, and there is still evidence of a broken window at the home,” the source recounted.
In an effort to make ends meet, Mai Dhuterere is reportedly now involved in the business of supplying detergents.
This is not the first time the couple has faced marital difficulties. In 2023, Mambo Dhuterere publicly admitted to suffering from depression amid reports of alleged infidelity, which prompted Mai Dhuterere to return to Botswana, where they were previously based.
He announced that he was cancelling show bookings due to his mental health struggles, although he did not explicitly reveal the cause of his depression.
“Have been turning down booking ‘n’ invitations zvaita kuti vamwe vave disappointed in me . . . forgive me. Am down mentally, emotionally, spiritually depressed . . . Just need a little while to pick myself up, I WILL BE BACK. ln God we trust…,” he posted on Facebook at the time.
The current allegations of abandonment and marital strife cast a shadow over Mambo Dhuterere’s public image as a gospel musician and raise serious concerns about the well-being of Mai Dhuterere and their children.
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